Actor Ed O'Neill to give YSU commencement address

Youngstown State University trustees authorized conferral of honorary degrees to actor Ed O’Neill and retiring President Cynthia E. Anderson at the May 18 commencement.

O’Neill, star of the popular television comedy “Modern Family” was born and raised in Youngstown and attended Ursuline High School, Ohio University and YSU. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at commencement exercises where he also will be the speaker.

Anderson, the first woman, YSU alumni and Mahoning Valley native to serve as university president, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. After three years at the YSU helm, Anderson will retire in June.

Trustees also passed resolutions of appreciation at their meeting Wednesday for outgoing Trustee Scott Schulick and student Trustee Joshua Prest. Their terms expire in May.

Schulick was appointed by former Gov. Bob Taft in 2004, and Prest was appointed in 2011 by Gov. John Kasich.

Anderson said that she and Prest had an immediate connection upon his appointment to the board.

Schulick was a student trustee when Anderson served in her first administrative role at YSU. She said Schulick had three main passions in life: his family, his faith and YSU.

Prest plans to continue to be involved at the university.

“I hope this is only the beginning of my commitment to YSU,” he said. “This is probably the greatest university in the state.”